JP5444076B2 - Program recording apparatus, recorded program management method, and recorded program management program - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a program recording apparatus , a recorded program management method, and a recorded program management program for recording a broadcast program, and in particular, a program recording apparatus and recording capable of resolving a shortage of storage capacity when recording an image. The present invention relates to a program management method and a recorded program management program.

  Various types of large-capacity storage devices such as hard disks have been developed. As a result, the program development for recording various programs has been greatly changed from the one using magnetic tape to the one incorporating a large-capacity storage device. A program recording device incorporating a large-capacity storage device can record many programs in the built-in storage device.

  However, the storage capacity of the built-in storage device is finite no matter how large. In particular, the quality of broadcast programs has been improved, and even if the storage device built in the program recording device has a large capacity, the problem of insufficient storage device capacity cannot be avoided. Of course, in many program recording apparatuses, the contents of a program stored in a storage device can be moved to a storage medium such as a DVD (Digital Versatile Disc) and stored separately. However, since the amount of program data transferred to the storage medium is small, the processing for storing a large amount of data is troublesome and the purchase cost of the storage medium is also increased.

  Therefore, as a first related technique of the present invention, when the storage capacity of a built-in storage device for recording a program is reduced, the device side automatically deletes an unnecessary recorded program. (For example, refer to Patent Document 1). In the first related technique, whether or not to erase when a storage device capacity shortage occurs is set when recording each program. Then, the program recording apparatus side automatically deletes a program that can be erased when the free capacity of the storage device exceeds a predetermined threshold value to ensure the free capacity.

  However, in the first related technology, when the storage device capacity is insufficient, there is a possibility that only the set program will remain in the program recording device unless the deletion is permitted. In such a case, since the program is not erased, a new program cannot be recorded. Of course, the user can delete the program manually, but it is cumbersome to perform the deletion process each time.

  Therefore, as a second related technique of the present invention, it is proposed that the recorded program data is saved in an external server device to secure a free area when the storage device capacity is insufficient (for example, a patent). Reference 2). In this second related technology, when the free area in the recording area inside the program program recording apparatus such as a mobile phone becomes small, the recorded broadcast recording data is selected from this recording area, and the external server apparatus It is evacuated to the recording area. As an example, movement to the storage area in the server device is performed in the order of the recording date and time of the program data.

  In the second related technique, the program data saved in the external storage area within the range in which the shortage of the capacity of the storage device in the program recording device is resolved is returned to the program recording device again. For this reason, program data can be quickly reproduced.

JP 2006-295359 A (paragraph 0052, FIG. 4) JP 2009-071155 (paragraphs 0093 to 0095, FIG. 1)

  In the second related technology, the server device is accessed using the communication function of the Internet, and the program recording device exchanges program data with the server device. Therefore, if the user has an insufficient capacity of the storage device in the program recording device at the time of starting the recording, the free space of the storage device is in the middle of the recording if the communication environment cannot start the recording immediately. May no longer exist. In this case, a situation occurs in which recording must be stopped at that time. Similarly, when the communication environment at the start of recording is poor and the amount of data transferred to the server device is smaller than the amount of data stored in the storage device, the free space of the storage device may not exist during recording. Further, frequent communication of a large amount of data between the program recording apparatus and the server apparatus has a problem in terms of communication cost and communication traffic.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a program recording device , a recorded program management method, and a recorded program management program that can be easily handled by a user when the storage capacity of a storage device built in a broadcast recording device is insufficient. There is.

In the present invention, (a) a broadcast program receiving means for receiving a broadcast program, and (b) a program data instructed to be recorded out of program data as program unit data received by the broadcast program receiving means is used as a recording file. A first storage device for storing; (c) an expansion terminal for adding a second storage device as another storage device for assisting storage of the first storage device; and (d) various visual information. The monitor screen to be displayed and (e) how to manage the data for each recording file such as whether to move or delete the recording file stored in the first storage device to the second storage device. Program management information generating means for generating program management information for each program data; (f) with program management information for adding the program management information generated by the program management information generating means to the corresponding recording file And (g) the ratio of the capacity or free capacity in use and the remaining recording time of each of the first storage device and the second storage device connected to the extension terminal. A storage device current state calculation means for calculating; and (h) the above-described monitor for the ratio of the used capacity or the free space of each of the first storage device and the second storage device calculated by the storage device current state calculation means. And a monitor current state display means for displaying the remaining recordable time as a numerical value, and (i) the first storage device and the second storage device described above on the monitor described above with the monitor current state display means. when to perform a correction to remove the first recorded file or move the recorded files in the second storage device from the storage device mentioned above in a state in which current to display the and of recording phi A recording file selection means make selecting the recorded file to be changed in the management by referring to program management information added to each Le program recording apparatus comprising.

In the present invention, (b) a broadcast program receiving step for receiving a broadcast program, and (b) recording of program data as an instruction of recording as program unit data received at the broadcast program receiving step. A recording file storage step of storing the file in the first storage device as a file, and (c) the recording file stored in the first storage device in the recording file storage step as an aid for storage of the first storage device. How to manage data for each recording file, such as whether to move to or delete from the second storage device added via a predetermined extension terminal of the program recording device that records the program received in the broadcast program receiving step. A program management information generation step for generating the represented program management information for each program data, and (d) a number generated by the program management information generation step. And program management information adding step of adding management information to the appropriate recording file, (e) each of the predetermined first storage device and a second storage device mentioned above which connected to an expansion terminal described above described above at the timing A storage device current state calculating step for calculating a ratio of the capacity in use or free space and a remaining recordable time, and (f) the first storage device and the second storage calculated in the storage device current state calculation step. The current state of the monitor which displays the ratio of the capacity or free capacity of each device in the form of a graph on the monitor screen for displaying the various visual information of the above-mentioned program recording device and also displays the remaining recording time as a numerical value And (g) the current status of the first storage device and the second storage device described above in the monitor described above in the monitor current status display step. When to perform a correction to remove the second recording files or moving the recording file in the storage apparatus from said first storage apparatus the state of displaying the program management information added for each recording file The recorded program management method includes a recorded file selection step for selecting a recorded file to be changed by referring to the recorded file.

Further, according to the present invention, a recorded program management program is stored in a computer as (b) a broadcast program receiving process for receiving a broadcast program, and (b) program data as program unit data received by the broadcast program receiving process. A recording file storage process for storing a recording instruction in the first storage device as a recording file; and (c) a recording file stored in the first storage device by the recording file storage process. Recording files such as whether to move to or delete the second storage device added via a predetermined extension terminal of the program recording device that records the program received in the broadcast program reception process described above as an auxiliary for storage Program management information generating process for generating program management information for each program data, and (d) generated by this program management information generating process And program management information adding process for adding the program management information in the appropriate record files, the second memory mentioned above, which is connected to an expansion terminal that the first storage device and the mentioned above at a predetermined timing (e) A storage device current state calculation process for calculating a ratio of the used capacity or free space of each device and a remaining recordable time; and (f) the first storage device and the first storage device calculated in the storage device current state calculation process. The storage capacity in use or the percentage of free space in each of the two storage devices is displayed as a graph on the monitor screen for displaying various visual information of the program recording device, and the remaining recordable time is displayed as a numerical value. And (g) displaying the current status of the first storage device and the second storage device on the monitor described above in this monitor current status display processing. When to perform a correction to remove the second recording files or moving the recording file in the storage apparatus from said first storage apparatus the state, managed by referring to program management information added for each recording file And a recording file selection process for selecting a recording file to be changed .

As described above, according to the present invention, whether the recording file is moved to the second storage device added via the predetermined extension terminal of the program recording device as an auxiliary to the storage of the first storage device. Program management information, such as whether to delete a recorded file, is added to each recorded file. This makes it possible to manage these recording files regardless of which storage device of the program recording device stores the recording files. Even when there are a plurality of second storage devices, it is possible to manage recorded files.

Especially in the state where the recording file is stored in the first storage device, even if the first storage device has only recorded programs that should not be deleted, a recording file that can be moved is added to the program recording device. Recording files that can be moved to or deleted from the second storage device can be deleted. Therefore, a new free capacity of the first storage device can be secured.

It is a claim corresponding figure of the recorded program management system of this invention. It is a claim corresponding figure of the recorded program management method of this invention. It is a claim corresponding | compatible figure of the recorded program management program of this invention. It is a system configuration figure showing composition of a recorded program management system by an embodiment of the invention. It is explanatory drawing which showed an example of the program management information used by this Embodiment. It is a flowchart showing the mode of the selection process of the management number at the time of program reservation being performed in the recorded program management system of this Embodiment. It is the flowchart which showed the process at the time of calling the list of the program data already recorded in the recording list display mode of this Embodiment, and correcting management content. It is a top view showing an example of the video recording list displayed on the monitor in this Embodiment. It is a flowchart showing the mode of the capacity | capacitance management of the memory | storage device performed at some preset inspection time points in this Embodiment. It is explanatory drawing showing an example of the capacity shortage setting table in this Embodiment. It is a system block diagram showing the structure of the recorded program management system in the modification of this invention.

  FIG. 1 is a diagram corresponding to claims of the recorded program management system of the present invention. The recorded program management system 10 of the present invention includes a broadcast program receiving means 11, a first storage device 12, a second storage device 13, a program management information generating means 14, a program management information adding means 15, and a recorded file. Selection means 16 is provided. Here, the broadcast program receiving means 11 receives a broadcast program. The first storage device 12 stores, as a recording file, an instruction to record among program data as program unit data received by the broadcast program receiving means 11. The second storage device 13 is added to assist the storage of the first storage device 12. The program management information generating means 14 is a program management information representing a data management method for each recording file, such as whether to move or delete the recording file stored in the first storage device 12 to the second storage device 13. Is generated for each program data. The program management information adding means 15 adds the program management information generated by the program management information generating means 14 to the corresponding recording file. The recording file selection means 16 refers to the program management information added to each recording file when moving the recording file from the first storage device 12 to the second storage device 13 or when deleting the recording file. Select the target recording file.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram corresponding to claims of the recorded program management method of the present invention. The recorded program management method 20 of the present invention includes a broadcast program receiving step 21, a recorded file storing step 22, a program management information generating step 23, a program management information adding step 24, and a recorded file selecting step 25. Here, in the broadcast program receiving step 21, a broadcast program is received. In the recording file storage step 22, the recording data instructed to be recorded among the program data as the program unit data received in the broadcast program receiving step 21 is stored in the first storage device as a recording file. In the program management information generation step 23, program management information representing a data management method for each recording file is generated for each program data. For example, the recording file stored in the first storage device in the recording file storage step 22 is moved to or deleted from the second storage device added for assisting the storage in the first storage device. It is a way of management. In the program management information adding step 24, the program management information generated by the program management information generating step 23 is added to the corresponding recording file. In the recording file selection step 25, when moving the recording file from the first storage device to the second storage device or deleting the recording file, the program management information added for each recording file is referred to. To select the target recording file.

  FIG. 3 shows a claim correspondence diagram of the recorded program management program of the present invention. The recorded program management program 30 of the present invention causes a computer to execute a broadcast program reception process 31, a recorded file storage process 32, a program management information generation process 33, a program management information addition process 34, and a recorded file selection process 35. I am doing so. Here, in the broadcast program receiving process 31, a broadcast program is received. In the recorded file storage process 32, the program data instructed to be recorded among the program data as the program unit data received in the broadcast program receiving process 31 is stored in the first storage device as a recorded file. In the program management information generation process 33, program management information representing a data management method for each recording file is generated for each program data. For example, the recording file stored in the first storage device in the recording file storage process 32 is moved to or deleted from the second storage device added to assist the storage in the first storage device. It is a way of management. In the program management information adding process 34, the program management information generated by the program management information generating process 33 is added to the corresponding recording file. In the recording file selection process 35, when moving the recording file from the first storage device to the second storage device or deleting the recording file, the program management information added to each recording file is referred to. To select the target recording file.

  <Embodiment of the Invention>

  Next, an embodiment of the present invention will be described.

  FIG. 4 shows the configuration of the recorded program management system according to the embodiment of the present invention. The recorded program management system 100 according to the present embodiment has a configuration in which a main personal computer 101 is connected to a television board 102 having a television broadcast receiving function and a second storage device 103 as an external storage device. It has become.

  In this embodiment, the personal computer 101 uses a monitor (display) integrated with the apparatus main body like a notebook personal computer. The personal computer 101 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 112. The CPU 112 is connected to each unit in the apparatus via a bus 113 such as a data bus.

  Among these, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 114 temporarily stores various data as a working memory. A ROM (Read Only Memory) 115 stores fixed data such as a program executed by the CPU 112. The first storage device 116 is constituted by, for example, a magnetic disk or a large-capacity semiconductor memory, and stores program data composed of a set of video data and audio data when recording a program. A program such as an OS (Operating System) can be stored instead of the ROM 115. The interface conversion unit 117 functions as an interface when the second storage device 103 is attached to the personal computer 101. The storage device 103 is detachably connected to, for example, an interface converter 117 via a USB (Universal Serial Bus) connector (not shown).

  The video output unit 118 has a function of outputting video to the monitor 111. The audio output unit 119 outputs audio accompanying the program data from the speaker 120 when reproducing the program data. The operation input unit 121 includes, for example, a keyboard and a mouse (not shown) as a pointing device, and is used to input a number representing a type of program management described later. The operation input unit 121 may be wirelessly connected to the main body of the personal computer 101 as a remote controller.

  The television board 102 is connected to the bus 113 so as to be inserted into a bus connection unit (not shown) of the personal computer 101 using a connector (not shown). Instead, the television board 102 may be connected to the personal computer 101 via USB (Universal Serial Bus). The television board 102 itself includes a tuner 132 connected to the external antenna 131 and a decoder 133 that decodes a television signal selected by the tuner 132. Program data decoded by the decoder 133 is taken into the personal computer 101 via the bus 113.

  The tuner 123 of this embodiment has a specification for receiving digital broadcasting. Therefore, the personal computer 101 can view terrestrial digital broadcasting, BS digital broadcasting, and CS digital broadcasting, and stores desired program data in the first storage device 109. When storing program data, program management information is also recorded.

  FIG. 5 shows an example of the program management information. This will be described with reference to FIG.

  The program management information is composed of three types of management numbers from “1” to “3” representing the types of program management. Individual programs are classified into one of these management numbers by the user. Since a program whose program management information is set to the management number “1” is likely to be viewed immediately, movement from the first storage device 116 to the second storage device 103 is prohibited (“not allowed”). "). Further, the personal computer 101 is also prohibited from automatically deleting the program from the first storage device 116 (“not allowed”). The priority for storing the program is “high” as the highest level.

  A program whose program management information is set to the management number “2” is moved from the first storage device 116 to the second storage device 103 or vice versa by the permission of the user. However, the personal computer 101 is prohibited from automatically deleting the program from the first storage device 116 or the second storage device 103 ("not permitted"). The priority for saving the program is “medium”.

  For the program whose program management information is set to the management number “3”, permission to move from the first storage device 116 to the second storage device 103 is not particularly defined. The personal computer 101 is permitted to automatically delete a program from the first storage device 116 or the second storage device 103. The priority for storing the program is “low” as the lowest level.

  FIG. 6 shows a management number selection process when a program recording reservation is made in the recorded program management system of this embodiment. This will be described with reference to FIG.

  When making a recording reservation for a television program using the television board 102, the user of the personal computer 101 displays an electronic program guide (not shown) on the monitor 111 and moves a cursor (not shown) to the program to be recorded. Then, a program recording determination button (not shown) of the operation input unit 121 is pressed (step S201). Then, a pop-up menu (not shown) is displayed on the monitor 111 (step S202), and the user can select any one of the three types of management numbers from “1” to “3” for the program selected for recording. (Step S203). When one of the management numbers is selected (Y), the management number is described as management information in the index of the storage file of the program data used at the time of recording (step S204), and the management number selection processing is ended (END). .

  For example, when recording reservation is made for program A, it is assumed that the user selects the management number “2” in step S203. Then, the CPU 112 causes the management number “2” to be described in the index of the file in which the program data of the program A is stored. According to the example shown in FIG. 5, the program data set to the management number “2” can be automatically moved between the storage devices 103 and 116 by the personal computer 101, but is not automatically deleted. It will be.

  In the recorded program management system 100 of the present embodiment, when a user makes a recording reservation for individual programs, the management number can be selected according to the contents of these programs. The management number can be corrected in relation to the free capacity of the storage device 103. Depending on the system, the management number may not be set at the time of recording reservation. For example, the management number may be set when the free capacity of the first storage device 116 or the second storage device 103 is reduced.

  Some of the recorded program management systems have a function of recording by selecting a program based on a keyword input in advance by a user or in relation to a program that has been selected for recording in the past. is there. When the function of selecting a program to be recorded by such a recorded program management system is used, the proportion of programs that are not viewed is somewhat higher than a program in which the user has directly selected recording.

  Therefore, instead of setting the management number every time the user records, as shown in FIG. 6, the management number to be assigned may be changed by the method of selecting the recorded program. For example, the management number “2” is set uniformly for programs for which the user has directly selected recording, and the management number “3” is set for programs when the apparatus selects other programs. . When the user directly selects recording and the apparatus also selects the program, the management number “1” may be set.

  FIG. 7 shows a flow of processing when a list of already recorded program data is called up to correct the management contents in the recording list display mode. This will be described with reference to FIG.

  The user can select the recording list display mode by operating the operation input unit 121 in the situation where the television program recording software installed in the personal computer 101 is started. When the recording list display mode is selected (step S221: Y), the CPU 112 edits the recording list using management information stored in a nonvolatile memory area (not shown) of the RAM 114 (step S222). At this time, for each recorded program, processing for color-coded display according to the management number is performed. When the above processing is performed, the video output unit 118 outputs and displays the contents of the recording list on the monitor 111 (step S223).

  FIG. 8 shows an example of the recording list displayed on the monitor. The monitor 111 includes a window 141 representing a list of recorded contents stored in the first storage device 116 or the second storage device 103 in FIG. 4, and a pie chart 142 indicating the use status of the internal disk and the external disk. 143 is displayed.

  In the window 141, the recording date, the title of the recorded program, and the management number are displayed for each program data. As for program titles, those with a set management number “1” are displayed in blue, “2” in yellow, and “3” in red. Thus, the user can easily grasp the type of the management number of each program data together with the display of the pie charts 142 and 143, and can easily find the title of the program to be corrected.

  The management number can be corrected by holding the cursor 144 at the position of the number indicating the management number of the corresponding program data and clicking with the mouse. In the example shown in FIG. 8, since the management number “3” of the program titled “Haniho” recorded on January 1, 2010 is clicked, the management number is changed from the initial “1” to “3”. Be changed. Accordingly, the title of the program “Haniho” is changed from blue to red, and the program data is automatically deleted when the free space in the first storage device 116 and the second storage device 103 is reduced. It is shown that it became a target. An “end” button 145 is displayed in the lower right part of the monitor 111. When this button is clicked with the mouse, the display for editing the recording list is ended.

  Returning to FIG. 7, the description will be continued. When the recording list as shown in FIG. 8 is displayed on the monitor 111 (step S223), in this state, the CPU 112 has selected the program management number (step S224) and whether the end button 145 has been selected (step S224). The monitoring of S225) is performed.

  When the program management number is selected as indicated by the cursor 144 shown in FIG. 8 (step S224: Y), the process returns to step S222 to edit the recording list according to the selected content. Since the changed recording list is displayed on the monitor 111, the user can easily grasp the editing contents. When the user presses the end button 145 (step S224: N, step S225: Y), the recording list display mode ends (end).

  In the recording list display mode shown in FIG. 7, only the management number change processing of an arbitrary program is possible, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, arbitrary program data may be deleted by user designation, or program data may be moved between the first storage device 116 and the second storage device 103. In such a case, as the program data is deleted or moved, the display contents of the pie charts 142 and 143 and the display of the remaining recordable time of the program data are also changed.

  The calculation of the remaining recordable time of the program data varies greatly depending on the setting mode of the recording quality of the program data. In the present embodiment, among the image quality setting modes selected when the user records each program, the one having the largest memory area usage per unit time is determined, and the program data is recorded in this image quality setting mode. The remaining recordable time is displayed. Depending on the recorded program management system, the remaining time may be displayed for each recording image quality setting mode, or the user may select the image quality setting mode for displaying the remaining time each time.

  FIG. 9 shows how the storage device capacity is managed at some preset inspection points such as when the user starts up the recorded program management system or finishes the program reservation. In the present embodiment, when the user activates application software for recording a television program while using the personal computer 101 shown in FIG. 4, the point in time for checking the data for recording the program comes. To do. This will be described with reference to FIG.

  When the time point for checking the program recording data comes (step S241: Y), the CPU 112 first checks whether the free capacity of the second storage device 103 as an external storage device is sufficient (step S242). When the free capacity is equal to or lower than a predetermined warning level (N), a warning that the capacity of the second storage device 103 is insufficient is displayed at a predetermined location on the monitor 111 (step S243). It is also possible to output a warning sound from the speaker 120.

FIG. 10 shows an example of a capacity shortage setting table used when displaying a warning or outputting a warning sound. This will be described with reference to FIG. The capacity shortage setting table 161 is arranged in a part of the nonvolatile memory area of the RAM 114. When the user installs application software for recording a television program, the recording allocation capacity and the warning capacity are automatically or manually set for each of the first storage device 116 and the second storage device 103. Yes. According to the shortage capacity setting table 161, the warning capacity of the second storage device 103 is C ₂ (ALARM). Therefore, the CPU 112 checks the unused free space in the current recording allocation capacity C ₂ (MAX) in the second storage device 103, and gives a warning if this is less than C ₂ (ALARM).

If the free capacity of the second storage device 103 exceeds C ₂ (ALARM) in step S242 in FIG. 9 and is determined to be sufficient (Y), or after displaying the warning in step S243, Next, the CPU 112 checks whether the free space of the first storage device 116 is sufficient (step S244). According to the shortage capacity setting table 161 of FIG. 10, if the unused free capacity in the current recording allocation capacity C ₁ (MAX) of the first storage device 116 exceeds the warning capacity C ₁ (ALARM) ( Y), the CPU 112 determines that the free space is sufficient. In this case, the process ends without displaying a warning for the first storage device 116 (end).

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S244 that the unused free capacity in the current recording allocation capacity C ₁ (MAX) of the first storage device 116 is equal to or less than the warning capacity C ₁ (ALARM) (N The CPU 112 scans the program management information of each program data that is the basis of the window 141 representing the list of recorded contents in FIG. 8 and checks whether there is a program that can be deleted (step S245). If there is a program with management number “3” in the program management information shown in FIG. 5, the recorded program management system 100 can automatically delete it.

  Therefore, if there is corresponding program data (step S245: Y), one of the programs with the oldest recording date and time is selected, and the program data is selected as the first storage device 116 or the second storage device 103. (Step S246). Then, the process returns to step S242.

  On the other hand, if there is no program data to be deleted in the first storage device 116 and the second storage device 103 (step S245: N), the first storage device 116 to the second storage device. It is checked whether there is program data that can be moved to 103 (step S247). In the program management information shown in FIG. 5, if there is a program with the management number “2”, the recorded program management system 100 can automatically move it unless the capacity of the second storage device 103 is insufficient in step S243. is there.

  Therefore, if there is corresponding program data that can be moved to the second storage device 103 (step S247: Y), one of the programs with the oldest recording date / time is selected and the program data is selected. The first storage device 116 moves to the second storage device 103 (step S248). Then, the process returns to step S242.

  Unlike the above, if there is no program data that can be moved to the second storage device 103 in step S247 (N), the lack of free space in the first storage device 116 cannot be resolved. Therefore, in this case, the capacity shortage warning of the first storage device 116 is displayed (step S249), and the storage device capacity management processing is ended (END). The capacity shortage warning display is basically the same as when the second storage device 103 runs out of free space, and a warning sound may be output.

  When an insufficient capacity warning display or warning sound is output in step S249, there is a possibility that recording of a new program may fail due to insufficient free capacity in the first storage device 116. A technique for avoiding this will be described next.

  When there is insufficient free space in the second storage device 103 in a state where the free space in the first storage device 116 is insufficient, the user can download the program with the management number “3” from the first storage device 116 to the second May be moved to the storage device 103 or permitted to move. Thus, if it is determined in step S244 that the free capacity of the first storage device 116 is sufficient (Y), the warning of insufficient capacity of the first storage device 116 in step S249 is not performed.

  If this method cannot be adopted, the user can determine which of the programs with the management number “1” can be moved, and the program data can be transferred to the second storage device 103 as long as the program data can be moved to the first. From the storage device 116 to the second storage device 103. At this time, the user selects and deletes predetermined program data existing in the second storage device 103 as necessary.

  Even if the above measures are taken, there is a case where the free capacity of the second storage device 103 is insufficient and the free capacity of the first storage device 116 cannot be increased. In such a case, a new storage device may be connected to the personal computer 100 and a part or all of the program data stored in the second storage device 103 may be moved to this new storage device. As a result, the program data stored in the first storage device 116 can be further moved to the second storage device 103, and the capacity shortage problem of the first storage device 116 can be easily solved. it can.

  Of course, in the recorded program management system 100 of the present embodiment, unlike the second related technique in which the program data is saved in the server, the data transfer from the personal computer 101 to the second storage device 103 can be performed at high speed and stably. It can be carried out. Therefore, in a special case where the free capacity of the first storage device 116 cannot be increased, the program data may be directly transferred to the second storage device 103 or a new externally connected storage device.

  According to the embodiment described above, the program management information such as whether to move the recording file to the second storage device added as an auxiliary for storage of the first storage device or to delete the corresponding recording file is stored. I decided to add it for each recording file. This makes it possible to manage these recording files regardless of which storage device the recording files are stored in. Even when there are a plurality of second storage devices, it is possible to manage recorded files.

  In particular, when the recording file is stored in the first storage device, even if the first storage device has only recorded programs that should not be deleted, the movable recording file is moved to the second storage device. Recording files that can be deleted or deleted. Therefore, a new free capacity of the first storage device can be secured.

  In addition, according to the present embodiment, since the program management information is added to each recording file storing the program data, the personal computer is used when the free capacity of the corresponding storage device is reduced. It is possible to secure a free space without the side receiving an instruction for individual program data from the user. Specifically, it is possible to move or delete a predetermined one of recorded files storing program data from the first storage device to the second storage device.

  When such processing is performed, the second storage device also has a limited storage capacity, so that it will eventually run out of free space. However, in this embodiment, the problem can be solved even in this situation. This is because a plurality of second storage devices can be used to increase the available capacity, or the second storage device that has been used so far can be attached and detached, so that it can be replaced with a second storage device having a larger capacity. .

  Further, according to the present embodiment, the program data (recorded file) can be moved and deleted as a series of processes as shown in FIG. Therefore, there is an advantage that the storage capacity of the first storage device and the second storage device can be efficiently utilized by reducing the burden on the user.

  <Modification of the invention>

  FIG. 11 shows the configuration of a recorded program management system in a modification of the present invention. In FIG. 11, the same parts as those in FIG.

  The recorded program management system 100A of this modification has a configuration in which a television 302 and a second storage device 103 as an external storage device are connected to a hard disk recorder 301. The hard disk recorder 301 is attached with a remote controller 303 for performing the operation.

  Here, the hard disk recorder 301 connects the output side of the decoder 133 to the bus 113. Further, the CPU 113A, RAM 114A, ROM 115A, first storage device 116, interface conversion unit 117, video output unit 118A, audio output unit 119A, and wireless communication unit 311 are connected to the bus 113. Here, the CPU 112A executes various kinds of control as the hard disk recorder 301 by executing a control program stored in the ROM 115A. The interface conversion unit 117 is connected to the second storage device 103 similar to the case of the embodiment. The video output unit 118A is connected to a monitor 111A in the television 302, and the audio output unit 119A is connected to a speaker 120A in the television 302. The wireless communication unit 311 is connected to the remote controller 303 wirelessly. The remote controller 303 can perform an input operation similar to that of the operation input unit 121 in the embodiment.

  In the recorded program management system 100A of this modification, a so-called dedicated recording machine is used, and the control program stored in the ROM 115A has the same contents as in the embodiment, so that it can be linked with the second storage device 103. I have to. Therefore, the hard disk recorder 301 can also perform the processing shown in FIGS. 6, 7, and 9 in the embodiment.

  In the embodiment, the recorded program management system 100 using the personal computer 101 integrated with the monitor 111 has been described. However, the present invention can be similarly applied to an external monitor 111 attached to the computer main body. it can.

  Further, the present invention can be similarly applied to a communication terminal such as a mobile phone or a PHS (Personal Handy-phone System) having a recording function. In this case, the second storage device 103 or a storage device added in addition thereto may be connected to these communication terminals by USB connection, or a memory card may be mounted in a card slot.

  Some or all of the embodiments described above are described as in the following supplementary notes, but are not limited to the following descriptions.

(Appendix 1)
Broadcast program receiving means for receiving a broadcast program;
A first storage device for storing, as a recording file, program data instructed to be recorded among program data as program unit data received by the broadcast program receiving means;
A second storage device added as an auxiliary for storage of the first storage device;
A program for generating program management information for each program data indicating a data management method for each recording file, such as whether to move or delete the recording file stored in the first storage device to the second storage device Management information generating means;
Program management information adding means for adding the program management information generated by the program management information generating means to the corresponding recording file;
When moving a recording file from the first storage device to the second storage device or deleting a recording file, a target recording file is selected with reference to program management information added to each recording file A recorded program management system comprising recorded file selection means.

(Appendix 2)
The recorded program management system according to appendix 1, wherein the broadcast program is a television digital broadcast program.

(Appendix 3)
The recorded program management system according to appendix 1, wherein the first storage device is a storage device built in a personal computer, and the second storage device is an external storage device.

(Appendix 4)
The recorded program according to appendix 1, wherein the first storage device is a storage device built in a hard disk recorder, and the second storage device is a storage device detachably connected to the hard disk recorder. Management system.

(Appendix 5)
The recorded program management system according to appendix 4, wherein the second storage device is a storage device that is detachably connected to the hard disk recorder via USB (Universal Serial Bus).

(Appendix 6)
The recorded program management system according to appendix 3 or appendix 4, wherein the second storage device is composed of a plurality of storage devices.

(Appendix 7)
The deletion of the recording file selected by the recording file selection means is performed as a data management method indicated in the program management information when one of the first and second storage devices becomes less than a predetermined free space. The recorded program management system according to appendix 1, wherein the recorded program management system is executed when it corresponds to deletion.

(Appendix 8)
The movement of the recording file selected by the recording file selection means is a data management method indicated in the program management information when either the first storage device or the second storage device is less than a predetermined free space. The recorded program management system according to appendix 1, wherein the recorded program management system is executed when it corresponds to movement.

(Appendix 9)
9. The recorded program management system according to appendix 7 or appendix 8, further comprising warning means for warning when either of the first and second storage devices becomes less than a predetermined free space.

(Appendix 10)
A broadcast program receiving step for receiving a broadcast program;
A recording file storing step of storing, in the first storage device, a recording file instructed to be recorded among program data as program-unit data received in the broadcast program receiving step;
For each recording file, whether the recording file stored in the first storage device in this recording file storage step is moved to or deleted from the second storage device added to assist the storage of the first storage device A program management information generating step for generating program management information representing a data management method for each program data;
A program management information adding step for adding the program management information generated by the program management information generating step to a corresponding recording file;
When moving a recording file from the first storage device to the second storage device or deleting a recording file, the target recording file is selected with reference to the program management information added to each recording file A recorded program management method comprising: a recorded file selection step.

(Appendix 11)
The deletion of the recording file selected by the recording file selection step is performed as a data management method indicated in the program management information when one of the first and second storage devices becomes less than a predetermined free space. 11. The recorded program management method according to appendix 10, wherein the recorded program management method is executed when it corresponds to deletion.

(Appendix 12)
The movement of the recording file selected by the recording file selection step is a data management method indicated in the program management information when either of the first and second storage devices is less than a predetermined free space. The recorded program management method according to appendix 10, wherein the recorded program management method is executed when it corresponds to movement.

(Appendix 13)
13. The recorded program management method according to appendix 11 or appendix 12, further comprising a warning step that warns when any of the first and second storage devices becomes less than a predetermined free space.

(Appendix 14)
On the computer,
A broadcast program receiving process for receiving a broadcast program;
A recording file storage process for storing, as a recording file, recording data instructed to be recorded among program data as program unit data received in the broadcast program receiving process;
Data for each recording file, such as whether to move or delete the recording file stored in the first storage device in this recording file storage processing to the second storage device added as an auxiliary for storage in the first storage device A program management information generation process for generating program management information representing a management method for each program data;
A program management information adding process for adding the program management information generated by the program management information generating process to the corresponding recording file;
When moving a recording file from the first storage device to the second storage device or deleting a recording file, the target recording file is selected with reference to the program management information added to each recording file And a recorded file management program for executing a recorded file selection process.

(Appendix 15)
The deletion of the recording file selected by the recording file selection processing is performed as a data management method indicated in the program management information when one of the first and second storage devices is less than a predetermined free space. 15. The recorded program management program according to appendix 14, which is executed when it corresponds to deletion.

(Appendix 16)
The movement of the recording file selected by the recording file selection process is a data management method indicated in the program management information when one of the first and second storage devices is less than a predetermined free space. 15. The recorded program management program according to appendix 14, which is executed when it corresponds to movement.

(Appendix 17)
The recorded program management program according to appendix 15 or appendix 16, wherein a warning process is performed to warn when either of the first and second storage devices is less than a predetermined free space .

10, 100, 100A Recorded program management system 11 Broadcast program receiving means 12 First storage device 13 Second storage device 14 Program management information generating means 15 Program management information adding means 16 Recorded file selecting means 20 Recorded program management method 21 Broadcasting Program reception step 22 Recording file storage step 23 Program management information generation step 24 Program management information addition step 25 Recording file selection step 30 Recorded program management program 31 Broadcast program reception processing 32 Recording file storage processing 33 Program management information generation processing 34 Program management information Additional processing 35 Recording file selection processing 101 Personal computer 102 Television board 103 Second storage device 111, 111A Monitor 112, 112A CPU
114, 114A RAM
115, 115A ROM
116 First storage device 117 Interface conversion unit 120 Speaker 121 Operation input unit 132 Tuner 133 Decoder 141 (representing a list of recorded contents) Window 301 Hard disk recorder 302 Television 303 Remote controller 311 Wireless communication unit

Claims (10)

Broadcast program receiving means for receiving a broadcast program;
A first storage device that stores, as a recording file, program data that is instructed to be recorded among program data as program-unit data received by the broadcast program receiving means;
And additional terminals for expansion of the second storage device as another storage device as an auxiliary storage of the first storage device,
A monitor screen displaying various visual information;
Whether to prohibit the movement to the second storage device of a recording file stored in the first storage device, and indicates whether to prohibit deletion of the recorded files, each of the recording file Program management information generating means for generating, for each program data, program management information representing the data management method of
And program management information adding means for adding program management information generated by the program management information generation means to the relevant recording file,
A storage device current state calculation means for calculating a ratio of a used capacity or a free space and a remaining recordable time of each of the first storage device and the second storage device connected to the expansion terminal;
Said storage device remaining time these recordable and displays the percentage of each volume or space in use calculated the first storage device and the second storage device the current calculation unit graphically on the monitor Monitor current status display means for displaying numerical values;
The recording file of the monitor in a state where current display means displaying the current status of the first storage device and second storage device to the monitor, to from the user first storage device the second storage device whether to prohibit the movement of, and, when said causing the change of the management number indicating whether to prohibit the automatic deletion of the recorded file, by referring to program management information added to each of the recording file And a recording file selection means for selecting a recording file for which the management number is to be changed.   2. The program recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first storage device is a storage device built in a personal computer, and the second storage device is an external storage device.   2. The program recording apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising an image quality setting mode for setting an image quality of a corresponding recording file when the recording file selecting means is selected.   2. The program recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the second storage device is a storage device that is detachably connected to the extension terminal by USB (Universal Serial Bus).   4. The program recording apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the second storage device includes a plurality of storage devices.   The deletion of the recording file selected by the recording file selection means is performed as a data management method indicated in the program management information when one of the first and second storage devices becomes less than a predetermined free space. 2. The program recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the program recording apparatus is executed when it corresponds to deletion.   The movement of the recording file selected by the recording file selection means is a data management method indicated in the program management information when either the first storage device or the second storage device is less than a predetermined free space. The program recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the program recording apparatus is executed when it corresponds to movement.   8. The program recording apparatus according to claim 6, further comprising warning means for warning when any of the first and second storage devices becomes less than a predetermined free space. . A broadcast program receiving step for receiving a broadcast program;
A recording file storage step of storing a record file that is instructed recording of the program data as the data for every program to be received by the broadcast program receiving step in the first storage device,
Wherein in recording file storing step, a second storage device that is added through a predetermined additional terminal program recording apparatus for recording the program received by the broadcast program reception step as an auxiliary storage of the first storage device Represents a method of data management for each recording file , indicating whether or not to prohibit the movement of the recording file stored in the first storage device and whether to prohibit the deletion of the recording file A program management information generating step for generating program management information for each program data;
And program management information adding step of adding the program management information generated by the program management information generating step to the relevant recording file,
Current state calculation of storage device for calculating the ratio of the used capacity or the free space and the remaining recordable time of each of the first storage device and the second storage device connected to the expansion terminal at a predetermined timing Steps,
A monitor screen for displaying various visual information of the storage device the program recording device capacity or percentage of free space in each of the in-use of the current said calculated in calculation step the first storage device and a second storage device A current monitor display step for displaying the remaining recordable time numerically as well as displaying a graph,
The recording file of the monitor in a state where current display step in displaying the current status of the first storage device and second storage device to the monitor, to from the user first storage device the second storage device Refer to the program management information added for each recording file when changing the management number indicating whether to prohibit the movement of the recording file and whether to prohibit the automatic deletion of the recording file. And a recording file selection step of selecting a recording file for which the management number is to be changed. On the computer,
A broadcast program receiving process for receiving a broadcast program;
A recording file storage process to store a record file that is instructed recording of the program data as the data for every program to be received by the broadcast program receiving processing in the first storage device,
In the recording file storing process , a second storage device added via a predetermined extension terminal of the program recording device for recording the program received in the broadcast program receiving process as an aid for storing in the first storage device Represents a method of data management for each recording file , indicating whether or not to prohibit the movement of the recording file stored in the first storage device and whether to prohibit the deletion of the recording file A program management information generation process for generating program management information for each program data;
And program management information adding process for adding the program management information generated by the program management information generating process in the appropriate recording file,
Current state calculation of storage device for calculating the ratio of the used capacity or the free space and the remaining recordable time of each of the first storage device and the second storage device connected to the expansion terminal at a predetermined timing Processing,
In order to display various types of visual information and the various types of visual information of the program recording device for the used capacity or the percentage of free capacity of the first storage device and the second storage device calculated in the storage device current state calculation process. A current monitor display process that displays the remaining time that can be recorded as a numerical value as well as a graph on the monitor screen.
The recording file of the monitor in a state where current display processing in displaying the current status of the first storage device and second storage device to the monitor, to from the user first storage device the second storage device Refer to the program management information added for each recording file when changing the management number indicating whether to prohibit the movement of the recording file and whether to prohibit the automatic deletion of the recording file. A recording program management program for executing a recording file selection process for selecting a recording file for which the management number is to be changed.

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